The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) caseload in October showed a drop of 454 cases, representing a decrease of 0.2 per cent compared with that of September, according to the latest CSSA caseload statistics released by the Social Welfare Department today (November 16).

     The total CSSA caseload at the end of October stood at 201 523 (see attached table), with a total of 275 522 recipients.

     Analysed by case nature, both low-earnings cases and single parent cases registered a month-to-month decrease of 1.0 per cent to 1 641 cases and 20 915 cases respectively. Unemployment cases decreased by 0.4 per cent to 17 403 cases. Both old age cases and permanent disability cases dropped by 0.2 per cent to 112 825 cases and 17 168 cases respectively.
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     Ill-health cases registered an increase of 0.2 per cent to 27 646 cases.

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit to San Francisco, the United States, yesterday (November 15, San Francisco time).
 
     Mr Chan had lunch with a group of representatives of start-ups, venture capital, and private equity firms in Silicon Valley. During his speech, Mr Chan stated that the Central Government has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the "one country, two systems" principle in Hong Kong in the long run. This institutional advantage allows Hong Kong to maintain an excellent business environment, the common law system, the linked exchange rate system, and international connections. It enables the continued free flow of capital, talent, cargo, and information, as well as convergence of international capital and talent in Hong Kong. With the advantages of the Greater Bay Area and the vast Mainland and Asian markets, Hong Kong stands as a prime option for foreign investment to explore the Mainland and Asia-Pacific markets.
 
     Mr Chan introduced Hong Kong's economic development direction and opportunities in the new stage, particularly in finance and technology innovation. He highlighted a series of policy measures to attract businesses and talent, among them, the strong fundamental scientific research capabilities, robust protection of intellectual property rights, vibrant start-up and venture capital ecosystems, and the new industrialisation policies introduced by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) are particularly favourable for the development of the innovation and technology industry. In addition, Hong Kong is an international metropolis with excellent education, social diversity and inclusiveness, harmony between urban and rural areas, rich cultural life, and good public security. Hong Kong warmly welcomes businesses and talent from around the world to develop and invest in Hong Kong.
 
     Mr Chan also visited a biotech start-up in Silicon Valley that focuses on combining artificial intelligence and health technology data to enhance the preliminary research efficiency and discoveries in areas such as genetic engineering as well as medicine research and development. Due to Hong Kong's strong scientific research talent and capabilities, along with the advantages of "one country, two systems" and policy support from the Government, the company is actively considering establishing a research and development centre and regional headquarters in Hong Kong to develop their business in Asia.
 
     Furthermore, Mr Chan visited an international company specialising in payment and financial technology, and exchanged views on Hong Kong's latest economic and financial situation, as well as the application and development of financial technology with the company.
 
     Mr Chan attended the welcome reception of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in the evening.
 
     Mr Chan will attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting on behalf of the Chief Executive today (November 16, San Francisco time) to exchange views on various global issues with regional leaders.

                

     According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for August – October 2023) released today (November 16) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 2.8% in July – September 2023 to 2.9% in August – October 2023. The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.0% in the two periods.

     Comparing August – October 2023 with July – September 2023, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) in different industry sectors varied. Relatively notable increases were observed in the manufacturing sector and import and export trade sector. Movements in the underemployment rate in different industry sectors also varied, but the magnitudes were generally not large.

     Total employment decreased by around 6 900 from 3 720 300 in July – September 2023 to 3 713 400 in August – October 2023. Over the same period, the labour force also decreased by around 5 100 from 3 834 300 to 3 829 200.

     The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 1 800 from 114 000 in July – September 2023 to 115 800 in August – October 2023. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons decreased by around 1 200 from 37 900 to 36 700.

Commentary

     Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, "The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was still at a low level of 2.9% in August – October 2023, though edging up by 0.1 percentage point from July – September 2023. The underemployment rate stayed unchanged at 1.0%.  Total employment eased slightly by 6 900 to 3 713 400, having stayed on an uptrend since early 2023. The number of unemployed persons stayed low at 115 800, though increasing slightly by 1 800."

     The unemployment rates of the various sectors stayed low in general in August – October 2023. The unemployment rates of many sectors either stayed unchanged or declined slightly compared with the preceding three-month period, though the unemployment rates of some other sectors, such as the manufacturing sector and the import/export trade and wholesale sector, saw relatively visible increases.

     Looking ahead, Mr Sun said, "Inbound tourism and local consumption would continue to underpin economic growth in the near term. The labour market should remain tight in the coming months despite some possible negative effects stemming from the difficult external environment."

     On large-scale job fairs, the Labour Department (LD) will organise the "Turning a New Page Job Fair" at the North Point Community Hall on November 27 and 28, 2023. Around 50 employers will participate, offering a large number of vacancies. In August – October 2023, LD recorded a monthly average of 98 222 vacancies from the private sector, representing a year-on-year decrease of 10.8% and a decrease of 3.2% over the average figure in July – September 2023. Job-seekers may make use of the LD’s online platforms, such as the Interactive Employment Service website, for obtaining such vacancy information.

Further Information

     The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.

     In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization. The employed population covers all employers, self-employed persons, employees (including full-time, part-time, casual workers, etc.) and unpaid family workers. Unemployed persons by industry (or occupation) are classified according to their previous industry (or occupation).

     The survey for August – October 2023 covered a sample of some 25 000 households or 69 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong. Labour force statistics compiled from this sample represented the situation in the moving three-month period of August to October 2023.

     Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.

     Statistical tables on the latest labour force statistics can be downloaded at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode200.html).  More detailed analysis of the labour force characteristics is given in the "Quarterly Report on General Household Survey" which is published four times a year. The latest issue of the report contains statistics for the quarter April – June 2023 while the next issue covering the quarter July – September 2023 will be available by end November 2023. Users can also browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050001&scode=200).

     For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the General Household Survey Section (3) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk). 

     In response to the Japanese Government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.
 
     For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt, and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.
 
     As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
 
     From noon on November 15 to noon today (November 16), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 146 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the "aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt" category. No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS's thematic website titled "Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan" (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).
 
     In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 50 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD's website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
 
     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO's website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
 
     From August 24 to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 14 516 samples of food imported from Japan (including 9 553 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 4 160 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests.

     â€‹The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, co-chaired a meeting of the task force for collaboration on planning and development of Hong Kong-Shenzhen control points with Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government Mr Wang Shourui at the Central Government Offices today (November 16) to continue to take forward the relevant work in various boundary control points (BCPs) between the two sides.
      
     Mr Tang welcomed the arrival of the leaders of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, as well as members of the Office of Port of Entry and Exit of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and other relevant units, noting that they had done a lot of work to prepare for the meeting. At the meeting, the teams of the two sides discussed the functional positioning of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen land-based BCPs and the planning of transportation connection. They also reported the progress of various issues including the redevelopment projects at the Huanggang BCP and the Sha Tau Kok BCP, as well as the transfer of the existing function of fresh food clearance at the Man Kam To BCP.
      
     In concluding the meeting, Mr Tang said that both sides agreed to implement the planning of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) development blueprint to promote the flows of people and goods in the GBA and take forward a series of measures to enhance the handling capability and clearance facilitation of the BCPs, giving full play to the leading role and knock-on effect of Hong Kong and Shenzhen as core engines for the development of the GBA.
      
     Officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attending the meeting also included representatives from the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, the Immigration Department, the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, the Planning Department, the Architectural Services Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Transport Department.